cam chain

[willys 55]

I just got an 81 1100 e and pulled the valve cover and found NO cam chain !! is it a non interferance engine???

[hampshirehog]

No worries with cam chain rattle then. That's a bonus.

[7981GS]

I just got an 81 1100 e and pulled the valve cover and found NO cam chain !! is it a non interferance engine???

One of mine wasn't.
But, it had radical cams and much more compression.
You might be safe. Wait for some more experienced with stock motor replies.
Either install a new chain and line everything up as it is supposed to be and find out
or remove the cylinder and take a peek.

Daniel

[hampshirehog]

Sorry, I thought you were joking.

If the cam chain has snapped it's highly unlikely that the valves haven't kissed the pistons. And where is the chain? Wrapped up around the bottom somewhere? I would pull the top off and have a peek.

[willys 55]

thinking that same thing" were's the chain"

[koolaid_kid]

I would certainly pull the head and check out the tops of the pistons. You'll also want to check for bent valves. You may have to pull the cylinder block to fish it out, if present, and (possibly, depending on your findings) install a new chain.

[Nessism]

The GS engines ARE interference engines; bust the chain and the valves will hit the pistons.

Suzuki uses endless cam chains, which means you will have to split the crankcase to install a new one. Some people gamble on master links with cam chains, others won't. Personally, I'd plan to split the crankcase just to be safe.

[Big T]

It's a full motor tear down to replace the chain

DO NOT substitute a master linked chain, I'll bet that's what was done on your motor

[Normk]

I didn't see it mentioned but another reason to split the crankcase is to determine whether there has been damage to the chain sprocket on the crankshaft and to the crankcase 1/2's. Depending on how that chain flailed around on the way, it may have doubled back on itself and then been forced through damaging surrounding structures.

Does the crankshaft turn without signs of something dragging/binding?

A cracked sprocket or other breakage may bite you after it is all back together if you feel a master linked chain through. If you decide to use a master linked chain, and I'd be more than tempted, inspect the chain well for signs and have a good look for sprocket run-out or chipped teeth, etc.

I know about the master link debate but lots of engines run them for ever without problems. An important consideration is that the master link clip must run with the closed end forward or you risk having the clip pushed off by the intertia of flying oil. If it were summer, likely might give into the temptation of master link but it's winter, you can't ride....

[BigD_83]

except...Willys55 is in Hollister, California.

Weather looks pretty good for riding there right about now

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/36.852455,-121.401602

Maybe not in the 80s like Steve is experiencing in Florida right now, but beats the heck out of our 29-30F tonight [EDIT- and it's not getting much warmer throught he day for the rest of the week, either ].

[gearhead13]

I run a master linked wheel chain, but I would NEVER run a master link on a cam chain. A riveted chain is the least i would go on the cam chain. Personally, I split my cases and used an endless chain.
Z1 sells the riveter and chains.

[willys 55]

I removed the top end and looked inside w/ that small space thinking I could see the chain. no cigar. the PO looked and acted a little shady and nervous as he delivered it 200 miles to my driveway. thought I was getting a killer deal. it sounds like a money pit to me now and thats alright, I'll do my share to help the economy and laugh it off.

[tkent02]

How are the valves and pistons?

[Suzuki_Don]

How are the valves and pistons?

Follow Tom's advice and answer his question.

Don't get ahead of yourself here. It could be as simple as the idiot PO dropped the cam chain when he was trying to refit the cams and the chain ended up at the bottom of the crank. There may be no upper end damage at all. If this is the case you should be able to fish the cam chain out now the head and cylinders are off.

One step at a time. Back to Tom's question: Are the valves and pistons damaged?

[willys 55]

I see first off on the pistons a witness mark from intake valve side on each piston. (w/ a eye loop) it looks to me that the valve just kissed the pistons. I can scratch the witness marks and leave a deeper mark ,like the valves were squeezing the carbon built up on the pistons. on the #1 intake I can see a dip ,dent ,imprint on the valves and a smaller imprint at the #3 intake also. right now I can see nothing on the exhaust side on pistons and valves.before I took off the head to make space I took off the ex. side cam and I did not make note of the exhaust cam postion. I need to better orginize my work area before I go any further.